Solanum
nightshade
9 species
2 subspecies and varieties
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Solanum americanumAmerican black nightshade
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east along the southern border of the U.S. to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed open areas, roadsides, waste ground.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: July-September
Growth Duration: Annual, Perennial
Solanum carolinensehorse-nettle
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where historically, sporadically introduced; Washington to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, orchards, wastelots, and other disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from the southeastern U.S.
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Solanum dulcamarafelonwort, bittersweet nightshade, climbing nightshade
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Thickets, clearings and open woods, usually in moist soil
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Solanum elaeagnifoliumwhite horse-nettle, silver-leaf nightshade
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in southeastern Washington; Washington to California, east across the southern half of the U.S. to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from Mexico and eastern United States
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Solanum lycopersicumtomato
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to northwestern Oregon; escaping cultivation but seldom establishing in other areas of North America.
Habitat: Sunny, moist, open, disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from South America
Flowers: May-October
Growth Duration: Annual
Solanum nigrumEuropean black nightshade
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east in scattered locations across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides and other disturbed sites, especially in moister areas; often in urban and suburban areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: July-November
Growth Duration: Annual
ssp. nigrum – European black nightshade
Solanum physalifoliumhairy nightshade
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, thickets, wastelots, and other disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from South America
Flowers: May-October
Growth Duration: Annual
var. nitidibaccatum – ground-cherry nightshade
Solanum rostratumbuffalo bur, horned nightshade
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed areas, often where dry.
Origin: Introduced from central US
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Annual
Solanum triflorumcut-leaf nightshade
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Weedy native in fields and roadsides, often in undisturbed sites at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Introduced from South America
Flowers: July-August
Growth Duration: Annual